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Saturday picks

I wish I had something witty to write here, but I’m pretty much stumped. I’m watching the original Die Hard, which is definitely the best of the Die Hards, though I was pleasantly surprised by Live Free or Die Hard when I saw it this summer.

The Apple guy, Justin Long, who also starred in Accepted and Dodgeball, was actually decent as John McClane’s foil in Live Free or Die Hard. I’m also a huge fan of Mary Elizabeth Winstead as McClane’s daughter (the chick on the left) and Maggie Q as the butt-kicking villian chick.

Anyway, here are my college picks today, with a Big Bear pick thrown in for good measure.

Citrus Hill at Big Bear
Before the season, Big Bear coach Dave Griffiths told me that Citrus Hill should be the favorites to win the CIF-East Valley Division due to the amount of skilled talent they have. After hanging 50+ points on its first three opponents, Citrus Hill is making Griffiths look good. But quarterback Kriss Proctor has made him look better, and until Big Bear loses (which hasn’t happened in 17 games) I’m sticking with the Bears.
Big Bear 41, Citrus Hill 33

Now to the colleges
Washington State (+25) at USC
The Cougars have been hot on offense lately, as quarterback Alex Brink has thrown 9 td passes in the past two games. Of course, he was playing against San Diego State and Idaho. USC is slightly better and have way too much firepower for the Coogs.
USC 48, Washington State 21

Washington (+6.5) at UCLA
Both of these teams made me look horrible last week. Washington fell apart in the second half against Ohio State, losing the upset bid, while UCLA put on an embarrasingly display against Utah, losing 44-6 to a team with a second-string QB and RB. Karl Dorrell will be on the hot seat after the Bruins mess this one up too.
Washington 24, UCLA 20

South Carolina (+18) at LSU
This seems to be a huge spread to me, as South Carolina has a top-level coach in Steve Spurrier and a big road win already at Georgia. Then again, the Tigers have been frighteningly dominant thus far. I think they’ll win, but Spurrier will cover.
LSU 30, South Carolina 13

Georgia (+3.5) at Alabama
The SEC seems to be the only conference with ranked teams playing each other, so this list is going to be like the Cracker Barrell menu – chock full of Southern-fried goodness. Alabama is playing well under Saban, which stinks because the Tide faithful could be the most arrogant in the nation. Yes, even worse than Trojan fans. This weekend will give them another reason to puff their chest.
Alabama 21, Georgia 17

Michigan State (-11) at Notre Dame
Only reason that this crappy game is so high in the list is because of the recent volatility of this spread. The Spartans, 13 to 13.5-point favorites all week, have seen their advantage drop to 11. I’m not sure if the professional money knows something about Notre Dame that I don’t, or this is the work of extremely hopeful Irish fans. Either way, I’ll take the team I know isn’t physically challenged.
Michigan State 26, Notre Dame 10

Penn State (-2.5) at Michigan
What we learned about Michigan last week was pretty minimal, as Notre Dame was so bad that most of the Sun’s Top 10 would have hung with them for at least a half. Because of ND’s awfulness, we know nothing about Penn State either. All I do know is Penn State has lost eight in a row to the Wolverines and to never, ever, bet against a streak.
Michigan 23, Penn State 22

Kentucky (+7) at Arkansas
More SEC fun, just because the games in the other conferences are pretty weak. The defenses of both of these teams – and the Southeastern Conference in general save LSU – are weak as well, as the SEC went from the 7-3 conference to the 39-36 conference in about a year. Expect more fireworks in this game between Kentucky’s passing offense and Arkansas’ rushing offense.
Arkansas 38, Kentucky 34

Georgia Tech (-3.5) at Virginia
Georgia Tech did what it always does, blows it on a national stage when it has a chance for a signature victory. Virginia lost to Ridgecrest Burroughs grad Karsten Sween and Wyoming in week one, but has been all right since. For whatever reason, the Yellow Jackets play better on the road, so I’ll lay the points on the Ramblin’ Wreck.
Georgia Tech 23, Virginia 14

Before we get to the last pick, here’s Georgia Tech’s fight song. Scroll down to Lyrics and press the play button. Outstanding if you ask me.

Oregon State (+11) at Arizona State
I have no idea what the fight songs for these schools are and I really don’t care. All I know is that Oregon State is the alma mater of Ocho Cinco (hint, not the goofy white guy) and Barstow native T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Arizona State has some of the hotter co-eds in this great country. I’m sure the lovely ASU girls will be happy today when the Sun Devils prevail.
Arizona State 35, Oregon State 17